Foothills Falcons Football Program

Flag Football
Coaches Manual

Spring 2026 — Grades 1 through 8. Everything you need to coach, inspire, and develop young athletes the Falcons way.

“Same Mud. Same Blood.”

Welcome, Coach

Thank You for Volunteering

Over the weeks of your involvement you will find this to be a very rewarding and fulfilling endeavor. It is not without its challenges, but if you have patience and understanding of what we are trying to accomplish, you will have a great time teaching these kids the sport of football.

Goals of the Program

Just Play Football

Thirty years ago kids used to go to the park with their buddies to play pick-up football. The first goal of this program is to give today's kids a chance to run, throw, catch, and just play football. There will be competition — we keep score and standings — but winning isn't the main goal. Getting a chance to play is. That should be first and foremost in your thoughts as a coach.

Physical Literacy

Introduce basic physical literacy to the kids — the fundamental skills of running, catching, and throwing.

Create Future Football Fans

The CFL and other levels of the game are constantly fighting for the attention of young people. We want to build a love for the game that lasts a lifetime.

Structure

League Set-Up

G1-4

Novice Division

• Grades 1-2 and 3-4
• 5 vs. 5 on the field
• Coach plays Quarterback
• Max 10 players per roster
• 50 athletes per division cap

G5-8

Atom Division

• Grades 5-6 and 7-8
• 6 vs. 6 on the field
• Player Quarterback
• Max 12 players per roster
• 50 athletes per division cap

Key Setup Notes

1Players will attend an Evaluation Day to assess primary skills (Running, Catching, Passing). After evaluation, players are divided evenly across teams.
2Roster size of 8-12 players per team. Small enough to rotate easily, large enough to cover absences.
3ALWAYS have an even number of teams. No byes or weeks off. If you need to lower roster size to 6-7 to create another team, do it.

Coaching Tips

Pitfalls to Watch Out For

⏱

Attention Spans Are Short

It won't take much to distract them. The directions in this manual will help — take them to heart.

🏈

You're a Coach, Not a Babysitter

Everyone likes being adored by kids, but you cannot spend practice time as a glorified jungle gym. The more you deal with this early on, the better success you'll have.

🤝

Expect Some Tears

An errant pass, non-inclusion, tripping — all can open the floodgates. Show care and concern first. Guide them to their parents or the League Coordinator if needed. Check back and encourage them to return.

✅

Be Committed

If you don't show up, your team doesn't function. If you must miss a session, find a substitute and inform the League Coordinator.

🎯

Spread the Ball Around

Finding your fastest player and giving them the ball constantly is a quick way to ensure success — but it's in opposition to the intent of the program. Get everyone involved. Let the wins and losses take care of themselves.

Logistics

Field Set-Up

The flag program can be set up on any standard Canadian Football Field. All you need is a set of pylons to mark off a smaller playing area. Up to four games can be played on a standard field — two games going in one direction and two in the other.

Playing Area

30 yards wide by 45 yards long with a 10-yard end zone

Start of Play

Ball scrimmaged from the 45-yard line going in to start each series

Ball Placement

Ball brought to mid-field every time prior to the start of each play

Throw Box

Final 5 yards to the end zone — the ball MUST be passed from this point in, even if the offense has run plays remaining

End Zone (10 yds)

THROW BOX (5 yds)

Playing Field

30 yds wide

45 YARD LINE — Start of Series

4 games fit on a standard CFL field

Official Rules

Rules of the Game

1Game Structure

Teams play a “baseball inning” style game each team gets 5 offensive plays to score from the 45-yard line.

Regardless of scoring, teams get all 5 plays before turnover.

All players must be in the game by the 3rd play and play a minimum of half the plays.

Practice: 45 minutes, followed by a 10-minute break, then approximately 60 minutes of game play.

At Novice: a coach from each team plays Quarterback. No snap from Centre required.

At Atom: players play all positions including Quarterback.

Minimum passes per inning: 2 at Atom level, 1 at Novice level.

2Flags, Belts & Uniform

Flag Belts

Three regulation flags on an official belt

Flags must hang on the outside of the jersey

Flags may not be rolled.

Uniform

Official game t-shirt at every game
Running shoes or rubber cleats (min 7 studs)
Shirts MUST be tucked in or inside flag belt
No caps/hats (except religious headgear)
No hard or plaster casts

Guarding the Flag Penalty: If a shirt hangs over the flag belt, the play is blown dead when the player gains possession. Result: loss of 5 yards from point of infraction. Offense replays the down.

3Tackling & Contact

A tackle is made by removing the flag belt of any player advancing, holding, or carrying the ball.

If a ball carrier's flags fall off while running, the defense must touch the ball carrier anywhere to down them.

No charging running into another player to avoid being tackled, to make a tackle, or to block.

No stiff arming extending arm to hold off or push away defensive players.

No blocking players must not impede the progress of defenders to the ball carrier. Penalty: ball placed at the infraction.

4Offensive Rules

No kickoffs. Ball placed at the 45-yard line.

No punts. Teams get 5 plays per inning, then turnover.

No play can start from further back than the 45-yard line. Any loss/penalty beyond that resets to 45.

Up to two offensive coaches in the huddle. Once huddle breaks, coaches must be 5 yards back.

10 seconds to return to huddle after a play. No strict play clock, but abuse will be dealt with at the league level.

No player can receive a hand off more than twice per series.

The QB can only run once per series. Other 4 plays must be hand offs or passes.

Inside the 5-yard THROW ZONE: the ball MUST be passed downfield.

5Defensive Rules

All defensive players must be at least 5 yards off the line of scrimmage.

A defensive coach may line up the defense, then back up 15 yards before the snap.

Atom Level Only Rushing: Rusher(s) lined up 5 yards back (marked by a bean bag) may rush the QB across the line of scrimmage after the snap. They can only rush once per inning.

Non-rushing players cannot cross the line until the ball has left the QB's possession.

Once the ball is handed off, all defenders may rush the ball carrier.

6The Ball is Dead When

1Ball carrier's flag is pulled

2Ball is fumbled / hits the ground (spotted where it lands, offense retains possession)

3Centre fumble (1 Mulligan Snap per inning allowed)

4Ball carrier's knee hits the ground (except QB catching snap)

5Receiver's flag is pulled

6Ball is intercepted (play dead, ball returns to 45-yard line, no points awarded)

7Ball carrier steps out of bounds

8Ball carrier runs backwards past the 50-yard line (ball spotted at 45)

7Officiating

Coaches double as officials offensive coaches call offensive penalties, defensive coaches call defensive penalties and spot the ball.

Strictly done on the honor system. Only basic penalties: procedure, holding, tackling, and BLATANT pass interference.

Unsportsmanlike behavior: Abusive language or taunting is immediately called. Second offense = removed from competition. Third offense = possible ban from the league.

All penalties are 5 yards from the infraction.

Coach decides to accept or decline penalties. Accepted defensive penalties: assessed as charged, no replay. Accepted offensive penalties: assessed as charged, down replayed.

Competition

Scoring & Standings

Scoring

All scores are worth 1 point.

No converts, field goals, or rouges.

The only way to score is to cross the goal line.

Standings & Playoffs

Teams placed by win/loss record.

Tiebreakers (in order):

Head-to-head result
Points against
Points scored
Coin flip (or drawing of straws for 3+ way tie)

Pass Eligibility & Receiving

All players are eligible to receive a pass, including the quarterback (if the ball has been handed off, tossed, or pitched behind the line of scrimmage).

Player must have one foot in bounds when making a catch.

An incomplete pass behind the line of scrimmage = fumble. Play is dead at the spot of the incompletion.

Interceptions: Play is dead. Ball returns to the 45-yard line. No points awarded.

Level 1Weeks 1–3

Skills Book — Level One

8–10 minutes per skill during practice time

Passing

Passing Release

Players on one knee throw back and forth, 3–5 yards apart.

Focus: Ball held at ear with two hands before release. Counter-clockwise rotation of hand as ball is released. Passing arm should point towards receiver after delivery.

Progression: Move to standing position and add stepping into the pass. Opposite foot from passing arm steps towards receiver as ball is released.

Catching

1. Straight Ahead Catching

Facing the coach and standing still, player is tossed the ball.

Focus: Catch with the hands. Pinkie fingers together on a low pass, thumbs together on a high pass.

Tuck away: Ball secured beside the body, even with the forearm, covered at its tip by the hand. “Look the ball in” all the way to the secured position.

2. Sideways Catching

Facing sideways with head turned towards the coach, standing still. Same catching techniques apply.

Repeat drill turning the other way.

Running

1. Running Drills

High knees — 10 ydsButt kicks — 10 ydsSide shuffle — 10 yds (both sides)

2. Taking a Handoff

Players are handed the ball by the coach standing still.

Arm positioning: Arm closest to the coach/QB should be up, other arm down to cradle the ball. Allow the ball to touch the torso before “grabbing” it.

Transfer to the “tucked away” position. Progress to a 3–5 yard run before the handoff.

Tackling / Flag Pulling

1. Breakdown Stance

Players in a semi-circle around the coach. Model proper breakdown stance: torso straight, bent knees, head up, arms in ready position. Hold for a few seconds to get used to it.

2. Flag Pulling

Players paired off, face each other a yard apart. Player A steps to one side. Player B (in breakdown stance) steps with them and removes a flag. Repeat three times to each side, then switch.

Long Snapping

1. Straight Snap

Players paired off, take turns snapping directly to their partner through their legs. Not a long snap — just the start of the process. Repeat 5 times per partner. If your team is really struggling, use the straight snap for the time being.

2. Long Snap

In pairs, players attempt to snap to their partner 3–5 yards behind them. This is a tougher skill. Patience and encouragement are crucial. Passing techniques may help (throwing through the legs). For game purposes, note which players can do this and only allow those with a chance of success to attempt it initially.

Level 2Second Trimester